Morgue Vanguard

Initially regarded as one of the Indonesian rap pioneers and a member of Homicide (Indonesia), a highly political unit that emerged in Bandung's underground scene during the twilight of Suharto's New Order until the post-reform era. Expressing their radical politics using technical multi-syllabic bars, complex wordplay, insightful lyrics, and emotional delivery, Godzkilla Necronometry (2002) and Barisan Nisan (2004) are considered landmarks. While his music is renowned for its distinctive fusion of classic 90s hip-hop and avant-garde sounds combining elements of punk, ambient, and noises that recalled his heroes—Public Enemy and Company Flow—his lyrical agenda was a political and socially conscious one. Inspired by golden age MCs such as Rakim, KRS-One, Kane, Chuck D, and Kool G Rap, he is considered as one of the first MCs rhyming in Bahasa.

After three albums, Homicide broke up, and he went solo. Releasing his impactful Fateh (2014) with the help of the late DJ Still from Brooklyn, he later reunited with two other Homicide members under Bars of Death for the controversial Morbid Funk in 2020. He also worked with another legendary MC from Jakarta, Doyz. The resulting collaborative Demi Masa (2018), became one of the most celebrated Indonesian hip-hop albums of all time. He has been working with a number of local peers, both from the mainstream and underground scenes. From Eyefeelsix, Krowbar, and Insthinc to BRNDLS, Burgerkill, Siksa Kubur, Forgotten, and Efek Rumah Kaca.